Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 308

308. The Winner of the Dragon-Phoenix Meet

The Taepyung Alliance Martial Arts Dragon-Phoenix Meet unfolded amidst enthusiastic cheers.

On the three sparring stages within the venue, the younger generation elites of the Seven Great Families fiercely competed, showcasing their skills.

Yunhyun watched the sparring matches with a relaxed demeanor from the VIP seats.

The wariness of key figures from the Seven Great Families, who knew about him, gradually began to dissipate.

Above all, his friendly interaction with the head of the Zhuge Family had a significant impact. They reasoned that his presence here was likely a sign of non-hostility.

On the second day, Yunhyun appeared in the VIP seats again.

Listening to explanations from Tang Yi-ryung, the young lady of the Tang Family, Yunhyun observed the sparring matches with his guard, Jin Ye-rim.

Occasionally, he sat alongside Mo Yong-jin of the Mo Yong Family or Pa Jin-han of the Southern Sea Sword Sect, discussing the matches.

Mo Yong-mi and Hwangbo Seon-hye also spoke to Yunhyun without hesitation.

The people of the Seven Great Families relaxed their guard against Yunhyun.

And then came the third day of the Taepyung Alliance Martial Arts Dragon-Phoenix Meet.

As usual, while listening to Tang Yi-ryung’s explanations and watching the sparring matches, Yunhyun suddenly sensed someone approaching.

Step.

Yunhyun raised his head.

The person standing before him was Hyuk Lyeon-pil, the representative of the Hyuk Lyeon Family from the days of the Martial Arts Alliance.

“Ah, it’s good to see you, Great Warrior Hyuk Lyeon.”

Yunhyun said, rising to his feet.

He had already seen his face on the first day, but they had only nodded to each other; this was the first time they were actually greeting each other.

However, Hyuk Lyeon-pil did not bow or offer a greeting.

“To you……”

Hyuk Lyeon-pil said in a straightforward tone.

“I am grateful.”

It might have seemed abrupt, but Yunhyun was rather surprised.

From Shin Seung to Yunhyun, the Hyuk Lyeon Family could be said to have had a strained relationship.

Yet, Hyuk Lyeon-pil of the Hyuk Lyeon Family was expressing gratitude to Yunhyun first.

Yunhyun let out a soft sigh and asked.

“Is the Family Head safe?”

The last time Yunhyun had seen him, he had been severely injured.

Hyuk Lyeon-pil replied with a somber expression.

“……He has not yet regained consciousness.”

That was not something to reveal to outsiders.

Officially, the Family Head of the Hyuk Lyeon Family was in secluded training.

However, Hyuk Lyeon-pil did not try to hide it from Yunhyun.

“I see.”

Yunhyun nodded and said to Hyuk Lyeon-pil.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

Hyuk Lyeon-pil’s eyes flickered slightly.

But soon, he said in a calm voice.

“Thank you, but I will decline. We will surely overcome this difficulty.”

His eyes were shining intensely.

Yunhyun nodded.

Hyuk Lyeon-pil lightly bowed towards Yunhyun.

“Then.”

Yunhyun also returned the courtesy to Hyuk Lyeon-pil.

Hyuk Lyeon-pil turned and walked back to his seat.

As Yunhyun watched his retreating figure with a thoughtful expression, a clear voice was heard.

“Brother.”

Yunhyun turned his head.

Hwangbo Seon-hye sat down next to him with a bright smile.

“Ah, Young Lady……”

It was already a familiar occurrence for her to sit next to Yunhyun.

As Yunhyun sat down, Hwangbo Seon-hye suddenly said.

“Are you alright? You don’t look well.”

“Me?”

Hwangbo Seon-hye, seeing Yunhyun’s puzzled expression, moved her face closer with a serious look.

“Yes. Definitely here……”

She reached out her hand towards Yunhyun.

He flinched and leaned back, but her soft fingertips were already touching Yunhyun’s cheek.

“Aren’t you tired?”

Hwangbo Seon-hye said with a worried look.

She was naturally a cute and likable beauty.

Yunhyun couldn’t help but feel a slight flutter in his heart at Hwangbo Seon-hye’s close proximity.

“Ah, I’m fine……”

Rustle.

Hwangbo Seon-hye withdrew her hand.

Then, she picked up a small fruit with silver chopsticks from a silver tray placed next to her.

“Try this. It’s a fruit that only grows in Sichuan, and it’s good for relieving fatigue.”

“Th, thank you.”

It seemed like she was about to put it in his mouth, but Yunhyun took the fruit with his hand.

Hwangbo Seon-hye smiled brightly.

Yunhyun was slightly flustered by her unusually proactive behavior.

But it didn’t last long.

Clink.

Hwangbo Seon-hye put down the silver chopsticks and stood up from her seat.

“I just came to check in case. I’m glad you’re alright.”

Yunhyun finally smiled.

“Thank you, Young Lady.”

“Ah, and.”

Hwangbo Seon-hye leaned down and whispered in Yunhyun’s ear.

“Please tell me before you leave. I would be very worried if I suddenly didn’t see you, Brother.”

Her eyes even looked concerned.

Yunhyun nodded.

What difficulty was there in just saying he was leaving?

“Y, yes, I will.”

“Thank you.”

Hwangbo Seon-hye stood up and looked down at Yunhyun, smiling brightly.

Then, she returned to her seat with a light step.

As Yunhyun tilted his head in confusion, he suddenly heard Jin Ye-rim’s voice.

“Master.”

Yunhyun could clearly sense the displeasure in her low voice.

Jin Ye-rim, lowering her voice as much as possible, said.

“I don’t know if it’s my place to say this, but blatant displays of affection are inappropriate in a place like this.”

Yunhyun was startled.

Displays of affection? It was absolutely not that, and it wasn’t even Yunhyun’s fault.

“No, that wasn’t a display of aff……”

“Or are you going to explain to everyone here that what just happened was not a display of affection?”

Yunhyun was speechless.

Jin Ye-rim was pointing out that, regardless of the original intention, that was how it appeared to others.

“Of course, you may have your reasons, but……”

“Thank you.”

Jin Ye-rim’s words were cut off by Yunhyun’s voice.

With a serious look, Yunhyun said.

“I will be especially mindful. Thank you for your advice, Young Lady.”

He didn’t offer a separate bow, but that was enough.

Jin Ye-rim cleared her throat and turned her head.

And her gaze naturally turned towards Hwangbo Seon-hye.

Hwangbo Seon-hye was already smiling and talking with other VIPs.

‘What is she aiming for?’

Jin Ye-rim was wary of Hwangbo Seon-hye.

Hwangbo Seon-hye was well aware of her own charms and was always conscious of how she appeared to others.

Such a woman would never act without a reason.

Meanwhile, Tang Yi-ryung, who was in charge of the guidance, informed Yunhyun about the tournament situation.

“The third match just ended. It was the match of Tang Hyuk, a strong candidate for the championship, so it’s a pity you missed it.”

Tang Yi-ryung said with a polite attitude.

“But he will be competing in the final match soon, so you will be able to see it then.”

It was already the third day, and the sparring matches were nearing their end.

This was because there were not many matches to begin with, as they only involved the younger generation elites of the Seven Great Families.

In any case, the sparring matches were just a formality.

The meetings of numerous sects and merchants that would take place afterward were more important to the Taepyung Alliance.

The same was true for Yunhyun.

Once the sparring matches were over, Tang Seol-yeon would definitely try to make contact.

Only then would his work begin.

Of course, even now, he was busy collecting and categorizing information about the Inspector General Jo Gwan, Hang Jang-ik, and the Taepyung Alliance, who were conversing.

***

With the final sparring match, the new Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes of the Taepyung Alliance were determined.

As expected, more than half of them belonged to the Tang Family.

Tang Yi-ryung, the young lady of the Tang Family, said with a slightly excited voice.

“The younger generation elites who were selected as the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes today will take on important roles in each branch. As a symbol of the Dragon and Phoenix, the men will be given the Five Dragon Sword, and the women will be given the Three Phoenix Sword. Ah, you might be wondering why it’s Phoenix (鳳) [feng] for women……”

Generally, Phoenix (鳳) refers to the male, and Hwang (凰) refers to the female.

However, Yunhyun smiled.

“I know.”

“Yes?”

With a relaxed expression, Yunhyun continued.

“Originally, the Phoenix was a legendary divine beast like the Dragon, so it didn’t distinguish between genders. This can be seen from the fact that the Dragon has been used as a symbol of the monarch, and the Phoenix as the pattern of its consort. The distinction between Phoenix and Hwang came later, probably as a literary phenomenon that appeared while comparing the affection between men and women to legendary birds……”

Yunhyun stopped speaking.

Tang Yi-ryung was looking at Yunhyun with surprised eyes.

“Ahem.”

Yunhyun cleared his throat and mumbled.

“Well, most symbols are conventional expressions, so it’s up to interpretation after all.”

“How did you know?”

Tang Yi-ryung asked without realizing it.

Yunhyun smiled awkwardly.

“I was slightly curious a long time ago, so I looked it up then.”

That was when he was working as a scribe after the Martial Arts Alliance Dragon-Phoenix Meet.

He recalled that the Phoenix in the Dragon-Phoenix Meet meant male and, feeling puzzled, he searched through the scriptures to confirm the usage.

Because it was the way of scholars to check things they were curious about themselves.

“I see. Ah! It’s the Family Head!”

Yunhyun turned his head.

An elderly man with a solid physique was ascending to the central sparring stage.

With intense eyes, he was none other than the Family Head of the Tang Family, the Azure Flame Lord Tang Chun-byuk.

He had obtained the title of Azure Flame Lord because his signature Poison Qi Art [a martial art technique using internal energy and poison] was like a blue flame, and he possessed a very imposing spirit.

If it weren’t for his graying hair and white beard, he could be mistaken for a middle-aged man.

Step, step.

Tang Chun-byuk approached the eight younger generation elites standing on the sparring stage.

Those who had been selected as the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes could not hide their tension.

Tang Hyuk, the winner, was also standing with a stiff expression.

‘Hmph.’

Tang Chun-byuk wore a faint smile.

Tang Hyuk was also his youngest son.

Perhaps because he had raised him strictly, he found his father difficult, and he could see a hint of rebellion as he grew older.

That was why today’s result was even more gratifying to Tang Chun-byuk.

Tang Chun-byuk looked around at the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes and said.

“Congratulations on winning the title of Dragon and Phoenix.”

His voice, filled with inner strength, echoed heavily throughout the venue.

“You are the future of the Taepyung Alliance and the future of the Martial Arts world. Do not forget that weighty responsibility and strive to improve yourselves.”

Tang Chun-byuk said softly to the warrior standing next to him.

“The swords.”

The warrior immediately presented eight swords with a respectful attitude.

Five Five Dragon Swords decorated with dragons and three Three Phoenix Swords engraved with phoenixes.

All of them were made by the best artisans in Sichuan and were worthy of being called masterpieces.

Tang Chun-byuk raised one of the Five Dragon Swords and said.

“Today, I bestow this sword upon you, so always reflect on yourselves and become someone who is not ashamed in front of this sword.”

Swish.

Tang Chun-byuk handed the sword to Tang Hyuk, the winner.

Tang Hyuk bowed respectfully and accepted the sword with both hands.

“Waaaaah!”

A tremendous cheer erupted.

The people who filled the venue all stood up and congratulated the new Dragons and Phoenixes.

Yunhyun also applauded with genuine enthusiasm.

Tang Seol-yeon, who was watching, also wore a smile, and a smile hung on Tang Chun-byuk’s lips as well.

As the cheers of the people slowly subsided, Tang Chun-byuk’s resonant voice echoed through the venue again.

“In celebration of the hard work of you young ones……”

Tang Chun-byuk said, breaking into a smile.

“I will grant you any personal wishes you may have.”

“Ooooooh.”

The people exclaimed and their eyes shone with anticipation.

Tang Chun-byuk, the Family Head of the Tang Family and the master of Sichuan, was saying that he would grant their wishes.

It was naturally an exciting moment.

“……There is something I desire.”

Tang Hyuk said with a rigid expression.

His complexion was still tense, but everyone just assumed it was due to nervousness.

“Yes, what is it?”

Swish.

Tang Hyuk raised his head.

“I desire a duel.”

“A duel?”

Tang Chun-byuk had a puzzled look.

He wondered if his youngest son wanted a duel with him.

However, Tang Chun-byuk’s guess was wrong.

Tang Hyuk stood up.

And drew the Five Dragon Sword as it was.

Whoosh.

The Five Dragon Sword’s blade flashed with a chilling light.

Tang Chun-byuk frowned.

However, the person Tang Hyuk’s sword was pointed at was not him.

“I desire a duel!”

Tang Hyuk shouted, glaring at the VIP seats.

“With you, Azure Dragon Sword Lord!”

The tip of the gleaming Five Dragon Sword was pointed straight at Yunhyun.